A Website for Musicians Who Busk in Bath

Welcome to the Bath Buskers Web Site

The name says it all:- it's a web site by buskers for buskers about busking and street entertainment in Bath, with contributions from many of Bath's local buskers. Please note that this is not the official website of Bath buskers - such a thing would be a contradiction in our view. It is a website by some buskers in Bath.

If you busk in Bath (or elsewhere) and would like to contribute to the site you are very welcome - you can email the site via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We try to be inclusive, although if you would prefer to remain enigmatic, as some people do, then that's fine. However, even if you're not a busker - perhaps a local resident or maybe a visitor to our city - we hope that you will find plenty in these pages to inform and entertain.

BATH BUSKING UPDATE - 2016

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Welcome to busking in Bath. (Please read the website founder's welcome comment above). Busking itself is not regulated by officials, but laws have to be observed.

The busking protocol has been established over decades to be fair and considerate to all and issues such as where the pitches are, how they are booked, amplification and this is succinctly set out in the The Bath Buskers Guide (an initiative by buskers endorsed by city centre stakeholders). There is now a CD selling license introduced by the council available at the Tourist Information Centre in Kingsmead Square.

As the prime busking area is around Bath Abbey a 'Traffic Light' system exists so please check their notice board by the main door. Other city stakeholders interests should be observed - eg sound amplifies greatly at the bottom of Union Street and echoes all the way up within earshot of retailers.

In 2015 a 'Bath buskers representative' was nominated* - the very fine local and international singer/guitarist Steve Robinson, who felt that the traditional 10am meetings should be disbanded as being the cause of the breach of traditional protocol whereby all pitches were being booked throughout the day and throughout the city at that time, instead of just the Abbey Churchyard pitch being booked. However, it seems this has not happened so all this website can do is try to encourage a fair system of busking throughout the day that is not controlled by just those attending the 10am meetings and make busking equally accessible for everyone at any time of day.

Put another way if you wanted to shop in Bath in the afternoon why would you have to book a parking space early in the morning?

If you do find it difficult to find a pitch you can air your views on this website or to the 'buskers rep' Steve Robinson.

* nominated - there is no constitution or register of exact numbers of Bath buskers who are given the opportunity to vote and by its definition the "Bath busking community" is transient so any nomination is strictly unconstitutional but is at least an effort to organize a random group of travelling musicians to give it some kind of voice with officials in the same way as this website also strives to represent responsible busking in Bath and also serve as a communications conduit!

Message to buskers for 11 December 2016

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Will buskers please spread the word that the New Bond Street/Milsom street pitch outside Russell and Bromley has been booked for an annual event on 11 December:

Just to let you know that Mr Wilkins' Shilling will be holding our annual Christmas (Morris)Dance Out for charity between 11 am and 1 pm on the corner of New Bond Street and Milsom Street (by Russell & Bromley). We have the space booked with the Council and a permit to collect for the Genesis Trust.

Traffic Light System

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This message is passed on from the Environmental Health Officer of B&NES Council. Please share this with others who are busking in Bath:

'Due to increased complaints received in respect of loud performances impacting on key services within the Bath Abbey, a “Traffic Light” system is now displayed on the West door in the Abbey Churchyard and on railings within Kingston Parade (near to the Tourist Information Office).

Please could all street entertainers be mindful of the request from the Abbey to minimise disturbances from volume during these identified times.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation'

Nigel Shire

Environmental Protection Team

Bath & North East Somerset Council

14 April 2014

The Bath Buskers Guide: August 2012

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'The Bath Buskers Guide is a buskers' initiative based almost word for word on the original Buskers Code of Practice, adding a few more pitches and stressing the need for buskers to give each other soundchecksregarding amplification which the Council has allowed. It was printed in 2011. Noise has been the main issue with some buskers turning up on the street with huge PA systems.

On the leaflet it clearly states the traditional 10 am booking system for the Pump Rooms pitch only. Buskers are asked to observe the fair code of conduct that allows others from further afield to busk at prime pitches without them all being booked by a few buskers throughout the day at the 10am meeting that many cannot attend. The other issue that has to be said is repeat repertoires by a few buskers day in day out which drives some shopkeepers mad and another source of complaint. Some shopkeepers pay for a music licence yet are drowned out by a few buskers and have to turn their own music off.